Another phase of life started for me a few days after my conversation with Sir Jones. He had just returned from a journey on this particular night, I welcomed him home and served him food. He asked me to join him in the food but I politely turned down his request. Then he said, "If you can't eat with me from the same plate, I can't teach you how to catch fish." I quickly join him in the food.
Shortly after the meal, he retired to the couch to watch a movie. After clearing the table, I joined him. He asked me to bring a glass of juice for him and I did. He took a sip and offered me the remaining one, I politely turned him down and got up to go get my own juice from the kitchen. He told me if I could not drink from the same cup with him, he can't teach me how to catch fish. I gently walked back took the juice from him and drank it all. He stood up, stretched out his hands said, Welcome to the MBC club. He laughed very hard and departed to his room. I stood there akimbo, and watched him climb the stairs while wondering what MBC means. I returned the cup to the kitchen, put off the gadget, and went to bed.
The next morning, Sir Jones came to my room. I greeted him and reminded him of his promise. He smiled and told me that was why he was in my room. He asked if I was sure I was ready to do what he does for money. I said yes. He asked me to rethink but I stood my ground. He said he doesn't want me to be involved in the kind of business he does but since I want it, He would teach me. He brought out a gun from his bag and handed it over to me. It was my first time holding a real gun. The ones we used to harass people back in Benin were toy guns. Not much different from a toy gun though, it is just the weight. I asked him what for, and he responded "For protection". Immediately, I knew he was into some kind of illegal business but I didn't care. He said he would send someone over to teach me how to use the gun and he left the house.
After I had learned how to use the gun, he taught me how to make a swift exchange without anyone around noticing anything. After that, we move to big exchange with other agents. Tony, the guy he sent to the house put me through other training. All these happened in three week. At the end of the training, he introduced me to his business partners and I started hunting for fish. I started as a delivery boy and got paid after every successful delivery. I was earning more than 500 thousand naira monthly then. As usual, I became extravagant again. I spend money recklessly. After a few months as a delivery guy, I got tired and started aiming for more. I told Sir Jones that I wanted to start trading myself. He laughed at said, "Dennis, Over greediness dey kill person o. No go rush put hand for fire make you no go pai before your time" I smiled and told him that it is not a crime to wish for more. He warned me to be careful and be a little less greedy.
However, weeks after my discussion with Sir Jones about starting my trade. He took me along to his meeting with other drug dealers in the environs. There, he offered me his seat in the group. Other members of the group asked why he was retiring so early, he told them I was his next of kin. So, he wanted me to be grounded in the business before he finally relocates from the country. They all welcomed me to MBC, Millionaire by Crook. I gladly took the offer and immediately, I saw myself as a billionaire. At 25 years old, I had become a drug lord. I was the youngest among members of MBC. I was making minimal trade among them because I did not have big capital but my take home on a single deal can buy a house in the most expensive estate in Lagos. Yet, I didn't own one. I was still living with Sir Jones, he asked me to live with him until he was ready to leave the country.
All this period, I noticed something different about Sir Jones but I was so busy with work that I didn't bother to ask why. He started getting thinner and he spent most of his time in the hospital. I hardly stayed in the house, so I didn't bother too much about him. If I'm not out for meetings or deals, I'm out clubbing, drinking, and spending money on frivolities. Sir Jones begged me to start spending more time with him but I didn't listen. I blame my ever-absent attitude on work each time he asked me to spend time with him.
Few months down the road, I already become a multimillionaire with different cars but It didn't cross my mind to buy or build a house. One day, I returned home to meet Sir Jones on the floor almost lifeless. I rushed him to the hospital and the doctor confirmed him dead on arrival. The doctor told me Sir Jones was aware he would die but it wouldn't have happened so soon if he was rushed to the hospital immediately he had the seizure. Then it became clear to me why he was begging me to always spend more time with him and why he always talked about relocating and never mentioned the country he was going. What a shame! I said to myself. If I had known, I would have been more responsible. My irresponsible and careless attitude caused the death of everyone that has ever shown me love.
Sir Jones already made provisions for his burial when he was alive. He already entrusted his burial and afterlife to the doctor before his passage. I wanted to give him a befitting burial but the doctor kicked against it. He claimed Sir Jones had specifically told him not to allow me or anyone to throw a party for his burial. He was buried a week later. No relative was present. It was just me, the doctor and his family, a few friends, and the priest. After the burial, the doctor told me Sir Jones dropped a letter for me in his drawer.
On getting home, I went straight to his room. I opened the drawer, brought out the letter but couldn't find myself to read it. I lost all strength and courage in me. The last time I felt that way was the day my dad died and Mum got partially paralyzed. I blamed myself for his sudden death. I cried all through the night and almost screamed down the house. No one to stop me, It was just me alone in the whole building.
I woke up the next morning with a chronic headache. As I wanted to get up from the floor, I found the letter and opened it.
To be continued
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